I finished my world map for a Pen&Paper game today. But I am not very happy with the result. There are a lot of things which dont look so fine. I hope you can give me tips or correct something. The resolution is not very high so I am going to upload the FCW file.

Edit: Sorry, how I can upload FCW files??
Btw, I want to add a overhaul version with text later.

joão paulo

11-07-2008, 08:39 AM

:compass:I liked the style, but wanted to see in HiRes:compass:

Sorry, how I can upload FCW files??
:idea:ZIP it.

Irion Schattenjäger

11-07-2008, 08:43 AM

How I can make the resolution better?

Irion Schattenjäger

11-07-2008, 09:34 AM

Here is the zip file. If I know how to make the resolution higher I would upload the file later.

loydb

11-07-2008, 10:30 AM

That's a great map, especially for a first try. You've included a lot of interesting detail that kept me looking at it zoomed in a buch.

Looking at it, here's how I'd tweak:

1) I think the mountain ranges are too dense, and too monocolor. Thin them out a bit, and use the varicolor mountain symbols, slightly tweaking the color every click or two. Yes, it's a pain, but it makes a huge difference.

2) Break up the monotony of the underlying green land. Make some transitional terrain -- desert and green, verdant land don't typically abut.

3) Use effects. An edge fade for where the land meets water, just like the one where the different bands of water meet.

4) That compass doesn't really fit the style of the map IMO.

5) Add some transparency to the whirlpool to get it to blend with the rest of the water.

Nice start!

NeonKnight

11-07-2008, 02:19 PM

That is a very nice looking map. Good Job Sir!

Irion Schattenjäger

11-07-2008, 02:52 PM

That's a great map, especially for a first try. You've included a lot of interesting detail that kept me looking at it zoomed in a buch.

Looking at it, here's how I'd tweak:

1) I think the mountain ranges are too dense, and too monocolor. Thin them out a bit, and use the varicolor mountain symbols, slightly tweaking the color every click or two. Yes, it's a pain, but it makes a huge difference.

2) Break up the monotony of the underlying green land. Make some transitional terrain -- desert and green, verdant land don't typically abut.

3) Use effects. An edge fade for where the land meets water, just like the one where the different bands of water meet.

4) That compass doesn't really fit the style of the map IMO.

5) Add some transparency to the whirlpool to get it to blend with the rest of the water.

Nice start!
Thank you for your compliment and your tips.

1) Oh no, you said it it´s a pain but I will try it after the weekend.
2) I don´t find a nice texture for the underlying terrain. Do you know how to make a authenic texture? Yes but it´s right, it looks to me to artifical (hope its the right word), too.
3) Ok, I am going to use the effects.
4) Ohh, I agree to you, but before I didn´t see that. What is a nice way to fill the empty place?
5) Work in Progress.

loydb

11-08-2008, 09:35 AM

Thank you for your compliment and your tips.

2) I don´t find a nice texture for the underlying terrain. Do you know how to make a authenic texture? Yes but it´s right, it looks to me to artifical (hope its the right word), too.

4) Ohh, I agree to you, but before I didn´t see that. What is a nice way to fill the empty place?

re: 2

Make a new sheet and add various solid blocks of colors or bitmap fills, then play with transparency and other effects. There's nothing inherently *wrong* with the green texture, you just want to break it up some. The colors don't have to be wildly different -- you just want to get some variation.

re: 4

Look at some of the decorative elements (sea monsters, ships, etc.), and for a compass rose that fits the map style a bit better. And you can always drop some un-named islands here and there for visual interest. If someone asks what's on them, just say "mostly sand" :)

Irion Schattenjäger

11-08-2008, 02:48 PM

In this file, I change the effects of the sea (blur) and use more different background textures (with transparency).The isles in the north are now arboreous.
But I´ve got a problem, I can´t erase the whirpool and the compass, why?

NeonKnight

11-08-2008, 03:01 PM

In this file, I change the effects of the sea (blur) and use more different background textures (with transparency).The isles in the north are now arboreous.
But I´ve got a problem, I can´t erase the whirpool and the compass, why?

The COMPASS is situated on the VEGETATION Layer & MAP BORDER Sheet

While the Whirlpool is on the VEGETATION layer and the SYMBOLS sheet.

So, as long as the vegetation layer is not FROZEN (locked) you should be able to delete them.

Irion Schattenjäger

11-08-2008, 04:40 PM

Thank you NeonKnight.
I erased the compass and add textboxes to the maps. But the effects are not saved when I close the program. That´s why you must activate the effects of your own:
-Glow (Text)
-Blur (Rivers, Sea)
By the way, you can open the FCW files with this free program:
http://www.profantasy.com/library/dpv.asp